They [city bureaucrats] have turned amalgamation into a cruel charade. The city hasn't grown that much in four decades, say from 2.15 million to 2.5 million, but the bureaucracy has exploded. Quantity up,quality way down.What we need is term limits, and maybe one term is too long.
8 comments:
Downing's rant is not just entertaining, it's sadly accurate. Toronto's a mess. A bureaucratic behemoth with tunnel vision towards raising taxes or cutting services.
I wish he would rant about our mobbed up garbage service. What a joke. Except a really sad one.
I wish he would rant about our mobbed up garbage service. What a joke. Except a really sad one.
Why do you need him to rant about that? You're not doing too bad a job.
I'm fed up with ranters. They're draining.
Problems with Toronto (and any city for that matter) begin and end with civic engagement. That started falling apart in Toronto when the burroughs started becoming cities and when the province embraced urban sprawl so enthusiastically, which has been financially draining on the city.
Thankfully, that era is coming to an end.
Sorry, this isn't as thrilling as one of your anti-conservative rants.
Civic engagement, beyond voting, is unfeasible for most people with jobs, kids and other responsibilities. The type of civic engagement I believe you're alluding to is more than a hobby, it's a career decision. And not everyone can or wants to become a politician or a lobbyist.
Complaining about government and taxes and healthcare is more than a rant. It's a right that all Canadians possess and should exercise, no matter what side you're on. Or do you look down upon "being engaged in the process". I think you're just looking for a fight.
Anyhow, urban sprawls is an issue of civic engagement as much as it is man's desire to have a driveway with a garage, a big yard and a big house. COmbine that with short-term government thinking and "poof" urban sprawl.
What do you mean that era is coming to an end?
Civic engagement, beyond voting, is unfeasible for most people with jobs, kids and other responsibilities.
Beyond voting? People are not even bothering doing that, particularly in municipal elections, where the voter turn-out is appallingly low.
Anyway, what other responsibilities? Sitting in traffic for two hours a day? Or flaking out in front of the television or babbling on the Internet?
I'm not blaming anyone for the lack of civic engagement; I'm just saying that ranting about something and expecting someone else do to something about it is pointless.
It's a right that all Canadians possess and should exercise, no matter what side you're on.
So when did you last contact your MP? Your MPP? You city councillor?
Or do you look down upon "being engaged in the process".
What process?
I think you're just looking for a fight.
Not really. I'm just fed up with ignorant ranting. And not so much from average people as from a lot of the commenters you read in the media.
What do you mean that era is coming to an end?
I don't think it's going to be affordable for too much longer. Apart from that, the dysfunctional social environment of suburban communities is starting to become difficult to deny.
"Anyway, what other reponsibilities?"
Between job, kids and raising chinchillas for high end barbie doll fur coats on the side, not much time is left to fight the good fight.
"You city councillor?"
A couple weeks ago to complain about the new and improved garbace service, which has undoubtedly resulted in making some connected folks richer through some fat government contract. Not idealistic, but hey, you asked.
"commenters you read in the media"
Fair enough. A lot of them are major douchebags.
"I don't think it's going to be affordable for too much longer."
Right on. The silver lining to $140 oil is that some people may realize "hey, maybe I don't need that McMansion in Mississauga and driving 3-4 hours each day is not only stupid, but selfish".
I agree that ranting is pretty ineffective. However, it's a definite step up from see no evil hear no evil.
Between job, kids and raising chinchillas for high end barbie doll fur coats on the side, not much time is left to fight the good fight.
So you know where to get the latest fashions for haute Barbie? I spent all day last Saturday driving my little Dakota all over North Toronto trying to find a supplier, without any luck. And now she's inconsolable, and my wife an I are spending an evening a week in family therapy with her to help her work through her grief.
You're right. There is just no time.
You can peruse my production line, while Dakota plays with my little ones Cody, Aidan and Mackenzie.
Chinchillas are great.
while Dakota plays with my little ones Cody, Aidan and Mackenzie.
Great idea. They can compare Ritalin prescriptions.
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